Messi and Suarez are close friends, and they are expected to reunite later this year at Inter Miami in the US, after playing together for Barcelona for six seasons (from 2014 to 2020). Both have always hoped to retire playing for the same club. But before achieving their personal aspirations, these two legendary players, one from Argentina and the other from Uruguay, must continue to fight and compete for their respective national teams.
Messi ( left ) and Suarez face each other for the first time since 2021 while playing for their respective national teams.
Suarez's career with the Uruguayan national team seemed to have ended after the 2022 World Cup (where they were eliminated in the group stage). However, the 36-year-old star has recently revived his career, scoring goals consistently and helping Gremio soar in the Brazilian league (currently ranked 3rd behind Botafogo and Palmeiras, and still competing for the championship in the remaining 4 matches).
Suarez has scored 5 goals, provided 3 assists, and earned a penalty for Gremio in his last 4 matches. Thanks to this, he has been recalled to the Uruguayan national team by coach Bielsa for the first time in almost a year, in preparation for the match against Argentina and then against Bolivia (November 22nd).
"Suarez has been instrumental in creating and contributing a large number of goals. Recalling him to the national team is a way to show respect for the individual efforts of the player. Suarez has also shown his importance to the team at this time. If Suarez played well but didn't score, that would probably not be good. But he plays well and scores regularly, showing that Suarez's exceptional instincts are still there," said coach Bielsa.
Veteran coach Bielsa, an Argentinian, has been gradually reviving the Uruguayan national team since taking over in May 2023. The 68-year-old made a big impact when Uruguay convincingly defeated Brazil 2-0 in Montevideo in October, moving them to second place in South America with 7 points from 4 matches, behind only Argentina (12 points, 4 wins, 7 goals scored, none conceded). This is the second time in his career that Coach Bielsa has led a team against his home country, after his time coaching Chile (from 2007 to 2011). Bielsa also coached Argentina from 1998 to 2004.
Commenting on the encounter between the Argentina team and Messi, coach Bielsa admitted: "This was a very emotional match for me personally. Just like stopping Messi, I honestly don't know what method or process would be effective enough to deal with the best player in the world . Perhaps the most effective way is to ask Messi himself what would stop him."
Match schedule for November 17th
3 hours: Bolivia - Peru
5:00 AM: Venezuela - Ecuador
7:00 AM: Argentina - Uruguay
Colombia - Brazil
7:30 AM: Chile - Paraguay.
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